This a large-scale reaction to fire system test (commonly known as ‘The Garage Test') that mimics a fire breaking out inside a building and exposing a cladding system to a fire, the test duration of exposure to flame is 15 minutes.

The standard, ‘LPS 1181 Part 1: Issue 1.2 – Requirements and tests for built up cladding and sandwich panel systems for use as external envelope of buildings’ does not test the individual component parts of a cladding system in isolation (i.e. the fixings, fire breaks, cavities or insulation), but rather determines the fire growth performance of the cladding products used; internal lining, insulation and external surface.  Once the test is completed all components are inspected.  To ascertain their response in contributing to a fire which it is exposed by its own decomposition.

Radiant roof test equipment is used to determine the performance of roof products and systems to external fire exposure.  There are primarily two standards used; one British standard and one European Technical Specification;

Both include staged test methods incorporating burning brands, wind and supplementary radiant heat.  The testing procedures determine the ability of a roofing product and/or system to resist fire and to examine how it would react to a nearby fire.  In particular, tests consider the transference potential from outside the building itself, and the likelihood of a fire penetrating the roof and spreading across its surface.  Dependent upon test results, a minimum 3 parallel tests are performed.

A method of testing that is used to determine the reaction to fire behaviour when a construction product it is subject to thermal attack by a single heat source;  BS EN 13823:2020 Reaction to fire tests for building products. Building products excluding floorings exposed to the thermal attack by a single burning item.

The test is relevant for Euroclass’ A1, A2, A2L, B, BL, C, CL, D and DL. in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. The product being tested is mounted on a trolley and positioned in a frame beneath an exhaust system. As the item is exposed to flame, the exhaust system collects combustion gases for analysis and the amount of smoke produced is measured. The flame propagation and occurrence of burning particles and droplets are also identified in the specimen’s burning behaviour.

BS EN ISO 1716:2018 Reaction to fire tests for products – Determination of gross heat of combustion (calorific value) is the test method used for the determination of the gross heat of combustion of products at a constant volume in a bomb calorimeter.

Determination of the heat of combustion of a material (substantial and non-substantial components of a product) is required in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 Euroclass’ A1 and A2, and floorings to classes A1_fl and A2_fl. In this test, a test specimen of specified mass is combusted completely under standardised conditions, at constant volume, in an oxygen atmosphere, in a high-pressure calorimetric bomb. The calorific value determined under these conditions is calculated on the basis of the observed temperature rise, taking account of heat losses and the latent heat of vaporisation of water. This test determines an absolute combustion value of the product. Dependent upon test results, a minimum 3 parallel tests are performed.

Performance of construction products and materials in accordance with BS EN ISO 1182, evaluates the non-combustible properties of construction materials. The test is included in the BS EN 13501-1 fire classification standard for classifications A1, A2 (construction products, excluding flooring), A1_fl, A2_fl (flooring products), A1_L, and A2_L (linear pipe thermal insulation products). During the test, the specimen is placed in a furnace and possible burning events are monitored along with any temperature variation.

Performance of construction products and materials in accordance with BS EN ISO 11925-2, measures the ignitability of a sample when subjected to direct impingement of flame. It is relevant to material classes B, C, D and E in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.